The Fairfax County Tree Commission is asking
residents to nominate county trees to be honored as “Celebrated Trees.”
Launched in conjunction with the county’s celebration of Earth Day, the
ongoing project recognizesbig, historic, commemorative and
favorite trees in Fairfax County. Further information and nomination
forms can be found online.

Commissioners will kick off “Celebrated Trees of Fairfax County”
atFairfax County’s Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday,
April 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,at the Northern Virginia Community
College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Visit the
commission’s booth for more information. Jeff Kirwan, co-author of
“Remarkable Trees of Virginia” is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m.

According to the Tree Commission: “You’ve climbed them, relaxed in their
shade, plucked their fruit and planted them in honor of loved ones. Join
us to celebrate them.”

Eligible historic, commemorative and favorite trees will receive an
honorary designation as a Celebrated Tree of Fairfax County and be
included in a database on the county’s website. Big trees will go into
the county’s Big Tree Database, as well as be submitted for
consideration in the Virginia
Big Tree Program.

Every tree should be celebrated because they make a significant
impact on the environment. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air,
which is the primary greenhouse gas, and they absorb ozone and other
pollutants. One mature tree with a 26-foot canopy can absorb the
emissions of a vehicle driven 11,500 miles every year.Shade from
trees can reduce a home or building’s cooling costs by 10-50 percent in
the summer. Every 1 percent increase in tree canopy also reduces mid-day
air temperatures by up to 2.88 degrees.